The New York Giants will enter Week 2 searching for their first win, and they’ll also be trying to get their offense rolling. In Week 1, against the Washington Commanders, the most disappointing thing about the loss was New York’s offense, or lack thereof. The Giants failed to score a touchdown, settling for just two field goals all game.
Naturally, that led to a lot of discussion about the quarterback position. People didn’t seem to care that it was only Week 1; they were ready to move on to rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart. However, the Giants’ offensive problems extended beyond the quarterback position in Week 1. The offensive line didn’t do a good job of protecting Russell Wilson, and he also wasn’t supported with a competent run game.
That’s why Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys is important. Dallas is consistently bad against the run. If New York can’t move the ball on the ground on Sunday, that will be a sign of just how rough things will get this season.
Cowboys present the perfect opportunity for Giants to get run game going
In 2024, Dallas allowed 137.1 rushing yards per game. That ranked the Cowboys 29th in the NFL — one spot ahead of the Commanders. Washington, however, was good against the run on Sunday, and that either means they fixed their issues, or the Giants are just bad. Sunday’s game in Dallas should help provide some clarity, because it didn’t look like the Cowboys fixed their issues in Week 1.
Losing to the Philadelphia Eagles, Dallas gave up 158 rushing yards, allowing 4.2 yards per carry. Of course, it was against Philly, the NFL’s second-best rushing team a year ago, but Dallas didn’t offer much resistance. That’s why it will be problematic for the Giants if they can’t run the ball on Sunday.
That would mean New York just can’t run the ball at all, and without being able to run the ball, an offense is pretty limited. When an offense has no run game, it becomes easier for defenses to defend the pass and get after the quarterback. That would equate to another abysmal season for the Giants if that’s their reality.